Testing Yamaha’s YDX-Moro Electric Mountain Bikes and 1Up USA’s Super Duty Rack for Vehicle-Based Adventures

Although the first thing that comes to mind when the term “vehicle-based adventure” is mentioned might be off-road vehicles laden with gear, there’s a growing trend in the overlanding community that adds a new dimension to these excursions: electric mountain bikes.

These versatile machines not only complement the off-road experience but also open up new possibilities for exploration that traditional vehicles simply can’t reach.

On our recent adventures, we decided to enhance our journey by bringing along a pair of electric mountain bikes. 

With Yamaha’s latest electric mountain bikes and a bike rack from 1Up USA, we set out to test how these additions could elevate our vehicle-based adventures. Here’s what we discovered.

We set out to test two Yamaha Power Assist EMTBs paired with a robust hitch-mounted bike rack from 1Up USA.

We mounted this setup to our trusty Land Cruiser and ventured into the mountains and a dry lake bed to push these products to their limits.

A Tale of Two Yamaha Trailblazers

Yamaha has long been a respected name in motorsports, and their foray into the world of electric mountain bikes is no exception. We had the opportunity to test two models: the YDX-Moro 05 and the top-of-the-line YDX-Moro 07.

Adventure-Ready Moro 05

The Yamaha YDX-Moro 05, finished in a striking forest green, immediately impressed us with its rugged build and reliability. This bike is designed for serious off-road enthusiasts who demand performance and durability.

The Moro 05 is equipped with a PW-X3 drive unit, delivering 500 watts of power, which is more than enough to tackle steep climbs and challenging terrain.

One of the standout features of the Moro 05 is its Dual Twin frame design, which separates the bike’s main frame into two sections to enhance stiffness and stability. This design allowed us to navigate tight forest trails with precision and confidence.

The 27.5” Maxxis tires provided excellent grip, whether we were dodging roots and rocks in the forest or speeding across the dry lake bed.

The suspension system, featuring 160mm of travel from a Rockshox Revelaton RC fork in the front and a Rockshox Delux Select + shock in the rear, soaked up the bumps and kept the ride smooth even on the most uneven surfaces.

On the performance side, the Moro 05’s power delivery was smooth and predictable, making it easy to modulate the assist level based on the terrain.

We appreciated the bike’s 12-speed Shimano drivetrain, which provided a wide range of gears to handle everything from steep inclines to fast descents.

For riders who value reliability and a solid all-around performer, the Moro 05 is an excellent choice.

Yamaha YDX-Moro 05 Image Gallery

The Special Edition Powerhouse

The Yamaha YDX-Moro 07 takes everything great about the Moro 05 and turns it up a notch. This model, finished in an eye-catching satin chrome, is a Special Edition that commands attention even before you hop on.

The look is spectacular if you’re not shy about being noticed. It looks like it’s made of Beskar, perfect for the Mandalorian to ride.

The YDX-Moro 07 shares the same PW-X3 drive unit as the Moro 05 but is tuned for even more responsive performance. With the upgraded components and refined tuning, the Moro 07 delivers an exhilarating ride, especially when you push it to its limits.

At the front, the bike features the RockShox Lyrik Select Charger fork which ensures smooth absorption of bumps and roots on challenging trails.

Paired with the RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock, this dual-suspension setup provides exceptional control and stability, allowing riders to confidently tackle steep descents and technical climbs.

While the Moro 07’s suspension travel remains the same as the Moro 05 at 160mm, the improved damping and response make a noticeable difference in how the bike handles rough terrain.

Another notable feature of the Moro 07 is the Yamaha Interface X display, which is more compact and user-friendly than the traditional displays found on other e-bikes.

This display provides essential information at a glance and is integrated neatly into the bike’s cockpit, maintaining a clean and uncluttered look. Combined with the intuitive handlebar controls, the display made it easy to adjust settings on the fly without taking our eyes off the trail.

On the downhill trails as well as the dry lake bed, the Moro 07 truly shined. The combination of power, precision, and premium components allowed us to reach higher speeds and tackle more challenging features with confidence.

The satin chrome finish, exclusive to this Special Edition model, is the perfect reflection of the bike’s high-end performance and aesthetic appeal.

Yamaha YDX-Moro 07 Image Gallery

A Bike Rack Built for the Overlander

Transporting these high-performance EMTBs required a bike rack that could withstand the rigors of off-road driving and additional heft of e-bikes, and the 1Up USA 2” Super Duty hitch-mounted bike rack proved to be up to the task.

Design & Build Quality

The 1Up USA 2” Super Duty bike rack is constructed with the rugged terrain that overlanders drive on in mind. It’s designed to handle heavy loads, making it perfect for transporting e-bikes – especially EMTBs, which tend to be heavier than standard bicycles.

Each of the rack’s trays can carry bikes as heavy as 100-pounds. We opted for the dual tray model, which securely holds two bikes but can be expanded to carry additional bikes if needed.

One of the first things we noticed about this rack is its solid construction. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum, it’s built to last and can handle the bumps and jolts that come with off-road adventures. The rack’s modular design also means it can be easily adjusted or expanded to suit your needs.

Installation and Usability

Attaching the rack to our Land Cruiser was straightforward, but we did need to use a hitch receiver extender to clear our rear bumper’s mounted spare tire and fuel can carrier.

The extension pushed the rack out a little over seven inches, which kept it close enough to the rear of the truck without sticking out too much.

One of the standout features of this rack is its versatility. It can be tilted down to allow access to rear hatches and tailgates, although in our case, the Land Cruiser’s rear bumper’s swingouts required a bit more clearance.

This is a minor inconvenience that could be resolved with a longer hitch extension. However, we were still able to access most of our truck’s rear cargo area through the gullwing windows, which mitigated this issue for us.

We added an optional V-style ramp that makes it easier to load and unload the ramp. The back-saving ramp is conveniently stored directly on the rack.

When not in use, the bike rack can be folded up vertically, which makes for more compact storage and reduces the risk of damage when navigating tight trails or parking in urban areas.

1Up USA 2” Super Duty Image Gallery

Performance on the Trail

During our off-road tests, the 1Up USA 2” Super Duty rack held up exceptionally well. The bikes were securely fastened and didn’t shift or rattle, even when we encountered rough terrain. This rack is clearly designed to keep your bikes safe and secure, no matter how challenging the conditions.

Optional wheel chocks can be mounted to the trays to keep the bikes even more securely in place. This is recommended for bikes that weigh 75-pounds and over.

Since our Yamaha EMTBs weighed about 50-pounds, wheel chocks weren’t required. No matter how much our truck bounced around on the trails, the bikes – and the rack didn’t budge. 

The rack’s ability to expand and hold more bikes is a significant advantage for group trips or family outings. The modular design means you can add up to two additional trays as needed, making it a versatile option for carrying up to four bikes at a time.

Final Thoughts

Our adventure with the Yamaha YDX-Moro 05 and YDX-Moro 07 electric mountain bikes, combined with the 1Up USA 2” Super Duty bike rack, was a resounding success.

Both Yamaha bikes performed exceptionally well, with the YDX-Moro 05 offering rugged reliability and the YDX-Moro 07 delivering top-tier performance and features. The 1Up USA bike rack proved to be a reliable and robust companion, capable of securely transporting these high-end e-bikes over rough terrain. 

Whether you’re an overlanding enthusiast looking to explore remote trails or a weekend warrior seeking the thrill of off-road biking that’s truly off the beaten path, this setup offers the perfect combination of performance, durability, and convenience. The Yamaha EMTBs and 1Up USA bike rack are well worth considering for your next outdoor adventure.

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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 11. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.